“Disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other.”

~ Rosemary Wixom

Could you do it? Could you put down the phone or iPad for a day, even half a day to reconnect with people and places around you? I’m on holidays this week, so that’s what I’ve done.

In this week’s Work-Life Recharge I reboot a classic video about the power of unplugging from our devices and reconnecting with the moment in front of you. Watch the video, or read the transcript below, and then #unplugyourself.

It’s summertime. The perfect time for you to take a break from work, work, work and get some rest and relaxation. And you do deserve that break. An over tasked, stressed brain has no ability to plan, to focus, to solve complex tasks, to pay attention. And when that happens, your productivity decreases. And that is not good for your dream big goals.

And one of the best ways we can take a break is to unplug ourselves from the technology that always seems to be at our fingertips.

In the July/August 2013 issue of “Fast Company Magazine,” Baratunde Thurston, a prolific social media guru, stepped off the grid and unplugged for 25 days. From everything! How would you manage? How would you do with a week? Could you do two days? What about one digital-free day every single week? Seriously, what’s the worst thing that could happen?

You could enjoy a weekend where you’re connected with family, and fun, and activities, and disconnected from your digital world. How’s that for social networking?

Real social networking means connecting with family, fun & activity, and unplugging from your digital world.

It’s not easy in an era of 24/7 information overload when everybody wants to find you right away, but it’s definitely worth it.

So, how do you unplug yourself? It’s simple, but it’s not always easy. The first step is to admit that you have a problem.

In his book, “Breathing Space,” Jeff Davidson says you need to know when to check in, and when to tune out, and the best rule is to check in for only two reasons; number one if you absolutely have to, and number two if the guilt or anxiety you feel over staying away detracts you from your ability to take a good break.

Now, he’s talking about vacations, but I think that advice could be applied every single day. We need to stay connected to how we’re connecting, if you will.

OMG, I was forced into my own 5-day digital break when my phone met an untimely demise in the river. That was not a good day. But it was an eye-opening experience. I realized I was a slave to every single beep my device made. I also realized that if I didn’t respond to people within a nanosecond, they were still there two or three hours later when I did respond. And they weren’t upset. It became time management on my own terms and I started to use my time way better, and far more productively.

So I challenge you with the rest of the summer that’s left to take those unplugged breaks. Take a day, take a weekend, but unplug over your holidays and feel the power of connecting in different ways.

And if you’re already adept at unplugging, share with me what works for you!

Until next time, I’m Michelle Cederberg helping you transform how your work and live, one recharge at a time.

Michelle Cederberg, MKin, BA Psyc
Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)
Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP)
Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
ORSC Trained Team Coach

Live Energetically ~ Do Work You Love ~ Get the Most Out of Life

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